Her filthiness clung to her skirts;
she did not consider her future.
Her fall was astounding;
there was none to comfort her.
‘Look, Lord, on my affliction,
for the enemy has triumphed.’
Lamentations 1:9
He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people.
Daniel 8:24
Like the ASTOUNDING FALL of Israel recounted by Jeremiah, recent days have witnessed an ASTOUNDING FALL from righteousness in our nation. And, as the Daniel text above speaks of the Greek tyrant’s inflicting ASTOUNDING DEVASTATION on Israel, so also, have we witnessed ASTOUNDING DEVASTATION being inflicted upon the United States. And it has been appalling to see.
Today we celebrate our Independence from England in 1776. But the actual war (The Revolutionary War) raged from 4/19/1775 till 9/03/1783, or 8 years, 4 months and 15 days. At the time neither party dreamed it would take so long or cost so much blood. It is estimated that the colonies (2.5 million citizens) lost at least 1% of their people—25,000, in that war. And England, not far different.
Keep in mind friend that the bloodiest affairs in the history of the human race arise from those battles that regard who shall bear authority over the people. Part of the glorious tradition of our Republic, arranged by our noble forebears and founders, was what we call ‘the peaceful transference of power.’ Do not underrate this, nor ever take it for granted. When it is working as it was intended, it is a ceremony (reflecting a reality) to be observed with gratitude and awe. Its continuance is never guaranteed.
It just so happens that this blessed tradition is currently in jeopardy. Can this jeopardy and danger be averted without bloodshed? We pray so. Today we celebrate an event in our past. But the event for which this day celebrates represents a freedom standing on very shaky ground.
Jeremiah said that Israel had been wiser had she separated herself from the filthiness of her skirts/her conduct, and given more diligence towards considering her dire future “she did not consider her future” that was fast approaching—that fateful day when it would be too late to amend one’s conduct. In this case their judgment had been exile.
The Emperors New Clothes
For years they plied lies till they piled high and multiplied. We all heard them. In the days before the debate a multitude of Mendacious Media insisted the president had clothes. But as this debate went on it began to dawn upon them with horror, that not only was he without clothes, they too were as naked as the day they were born! Those that insist on perpetrating fictions will sooner or later be found out. Time does its work.
Their seamless tissue of lies had been decisively decimated by his dismal performance, tearing the hypocritical robes off of his media allies, as well, and on a world stage for all to see. What followed was the biggest Media scramble ever witnessed, as they frantically fumbled for a fig leaf.
Nevertheless, for days since, we’ve witnessed a shameless, hopeless effort to modify by new assertions what they had formerly said (hoping past words will be forgotten) and their reputations salvaged. But bald-faced lies are not soon forgotten, nor can the public unsee what they saw.
Most people have an incorrect estimate of falsehood, perhaps forgetting that it has many levels of evilness. One lies is bad enough. But in the last number of years we’ve become eyewitnesses to baleful lies. These are legions of falsehoods all bound together into a bale and dropped on the heads of the people. This is an evil harbinger of things to come. Do not think that when falsehood reaches this stage that it arrives alone. Realize that such falsehood is given an escort by all the sins. Listen to the following list by Paul:
“They have become FILLED with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are FULL of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no faithfulness, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practise them.” Romans 1: 29-32
Notice, no one is simply a liar. Sins of every type accumulate in those that choose unrighteousness. Sadly, they multiply. Paul begins with envy, murder and strife, and proceeds with deceit, malice, gossips and slanderers. Do people realize that slander is a species of murder? To engage in slander against a person is to do all one can do against a person, short of physical murder. The only reason the slanderers stops short of physical murder is because they fear the punishment for murder. But if they could get away with it they would.
There is no doubt in this person’s mind that Trump is the most slandered, sinned against man in history by far. His haters have prayed to the Darkness itself in their battle to destroy him. With so much force directed against one man, how on earth could any person stand? To answer that question we must posit God. You had better believe He is a part of this equation.
This makes the stakes in this matter rise very high, even unto the heavens. But just because God has been fighting on behalf of Trump, along with the saints in prayer, it is far from guaranteed that the current gang will be dislodged by the upcoming election. If we view the fierce, visible battle being played out on earth, can we imagine no fiery battle playing out in the spiritual realm? Unlikely.
But consider the ridiculous assertion by so many Christians: ‘We don’t trust in men, we trust in the Lord. We have nothing to do with politics.’
Friend, if there is one thing we notice from the revelation of God in Scripture, it is that when God plans to do something in history, He looks for the men or women he can use to effect these things. No men or women? No intervention of God in history. Or if God intervenes without people, we are unaware of it. God uses people. So that whether we are keen-eyed enough to see it in the present, or only see it in retrospect, we are able to see God’s hand of providence. Who doubts that it was God that raised up Abraham Lincoln for our, till then, most contentious hour?
Who could have foreseen only a few years ago the wickedness of this hour?
“A trick before high heaven makes the angels weep.” Shakespeare
Indeed, there are forces at work currently that are seeking to topple Christianity as the power it currently is in this world. The United States contains the last great bastion of Christianity in our world, that the enemy of God would uproot fully and finally from its position of favor, if he could. If the Left wins the election this fall, make no mistake, this would usher in the darkest night the world has yet seen. It will mark the beginning of the end of the favor of Christianity in our world. It will mark the beginning of a great apostasy. It will mark the beginning of a great persecution against Christians and against the Jews wherever they might be found.
If people correctly saw the actual fact regarding current events and where they might tend very shortly, they would become as ill as Daniel did on beholding visions of future events. “And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days…I was appalled by the vision…Dan. 8:27 However, it is the mercy of God that we cannot see the fulness of future events. It is our wisdom to get serious and earnestly seek for the mercies of Heaven, in our present great, great need.
Friends, we are in very dangerous times. Though the Founders foresaw many of these things, no laws can be written that could perfectly protect the republic against the infiltration of corrupt citizens that gain positions of power. We have already seen the weakness of righteous law when twisted like taffy by evil men.
In the above Scripture Paul spoke of those who ‘invent ways of doing evil.’ There exists no system created by good men that can possibly foresee the various ways by which that system might be corrupted by serpent-like men applying their minds towards the inventions of evil; seizing liberties granted to free and good men, and exploiting within them loopholes by which to seize power. These are some of the grim obstacles now facing the good people of the state.
It has been said that the election will come down to seven or eight battleground states. The true believers should pray and fast for the few in those states who preside over the counting of the votes. They should ask themselves what they would do if certain men came to them with 10 million dollars, and gold and silver, along with an offer of houses, lands, farms, estates. Enough to enable them to bless they and their children after them—overnight wealth! In return, these election judges need only look the other way for a few hours on election night. Think about the enormous temptations many common and ordinary Americans are being tempted with and pray fervently for them.
If the United States falls, it will no doubt be because it was sold. And who would argue that it would be a fitting epitaph over the Republic, whose dream (as put before the people by many), was the covetous dream of riches? But let us pray we do not get what we deserve, but rather His mercy—O God, we implore Your mercy! Btw, a secondary meaning of the Hebrew word for mercy is ‘the womb.’ How lovely, how wonderful, how warm and comforting is the place of God’s mercy. O thank You Jesus.
It is certainly true that Trump won the debate of last week. But we would trade in a 100 debate wins for one election win. For that was but one battle. The war looms before us and prayer is our best weapon.
Throughout the Scriptures we see examples of every type. We see God’s people fall into wickedness and repent, and God fight for them. We see Israel fall to her enemies, as a judgment. We see times where God comes through at the last minute; we see God allow his people to go into captivity, see their temple destroyed and many of them perish, and only a remnant saved. But as we see in the example of Jonah and Nineveh, nothing is certain until it has actually happened. God had mercy even against His own word! Wow! As one Puritan divine put it: “God would rather lower the good report of any of his messengers, than endanger one syllable of his own recorded name, “The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and slow to anger.”
One thing very certain about the upcoming days is our future destiny rests in the hands of God’s people. If we falter in this, it will be an indication that not enough of God’s people cared. I heard a pastor say the other day: ‘I don’t care whether Biden wins or whether Trump wins; I don’t care.’
Really? I can assure you that God cares. And your children and grandchildren that do not yet know any better will care, looking backwards, later. And if God cares, can we afford to not care? Can we afford to not humble ourselves before God and take the current situation more seriously than anything we have ever taken in our lives up until now? It is THAT serious friends! One of these outcomes will affect all people on earth negatively beyond anything that can be imagined. God have mercy.
But do not think that a Trump victory will bring heaven to earth. His election may yield less good than any conservative president before him. But that has more to do with the character of our nation at this time in history, and forces of evil that have already been let loose upon the earth. But his victory will be the best case possible. Search your hearts men and women of God; search your hearts for sin, and humble yourselves and seek His face, first for yourselves, and your own sins, and then for your country, and its sins.
The Jewish people have been our example. Over and over again they resorted to that ancient weapon of all weapons, tried in a thousand battles—PRAYER! Indeed, prayer comes at matters from an entirely different vantage point. Glory. And so, too, have our Christian forefathers resorted to this faithful method, prayer and fasting, for salvation and deliverance from one’s enemies. Brethren: Fight the good fight of faith! Counter evil, counter the darkness! Let these sentiments burn strong in you. Let God’s word today be as it was to the disciples on the road to Emmaus: “Did not our hearts burn within us as He spoke to us in the way?!”
Do not doubt that things are being resolved into: The party of God; and the party of His adversaries.
God of Truth save us for Thy glory’s sake; Save us for the sake of Thy kingdom. We lift up the name of Jesus and remind You Jesus, that for this You would draw all men to Yourself. We reverence Your name; we reverence Your blood; we reverence Your cross; we reverence Your purpose; we reverence the Father; we reverence the mighty Holy Spirit; we reverence Thy Church and Thy people Israel.
O Heavenly Father, and Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon us sinners saved by grace, have mercy upon the United States of America, in Jesus name, Amen!
Truth, truth, truth. May God have mercy on our Republic. 🙏